Shagreen - a metaphor?

What would a quilt about ageing look like, asked someone on the Quiltart list, after a long discussion on decade birthdays - and birthdays in general. (imho they should be celebrated and appreciated - and welcomed.)

My own "ageing piece" would have a wonderfully smooth surface, as though burnished by loving hands (ok that's going a bit far!) -- overlying all those lumps and bumps that represent all the things that life has thrown at us, and we have to cope with somehow.

What comes to mind is shagreen - a decorative finish that was popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, and again in the Art Deco movement. Also known as "salmon leather", it starts out as fish skin -and after polishing and dyeing, ends up like this -to be used on a variety of small items - spectacle cases, cigarette lighters, boxes, even furniture.
Also, I like the idea of using something humble, even ugly, and making it beautiful by intensive working.